Freese, Molina homer to help Cards set franchise record

Credit: UPI/Bill Greenblatt

St. Louis Cardinals Yadier Molina celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on September 19, 2012. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

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ST. LOUIS (BaseballStL) – For the first time in Cardinals history, five different batters have 20 or more home runs in the same season.

David Freese and Yadier Molina each hit home runs on Wednesday to join Carlos Beltran (29), Matt Holliday (27) and Allen Craig (21) in the 20-plus club for the Cardinals this season.

The Cardinals nearly had five batters with at least 20 home runs in 2006. Jim Edmonds and Juan Encarnacion both fell one home run short of the mark that season to join Albert Pujols (49), Chris Duncan (22) and Scott Rolen (22).

The 2008 Cardinals also fell one player short of the mark as Pujols (37), Ryan Ludwick (37), Troy Glaus (27) and Rick Ankiel (25) were the only players to have 20 or more home runs that season.

Molina also became the first Cardinals catcher to hit 20 or more home runs in a single season since Ted Simmons hit 21 in 1980.